Improvement in butt-hinges



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

JOHN F. TOVNSEN D, OF WESTFIELD, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND PASCAL I. PRATT, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN-BUTT-HINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 36,883. dated November 4, 186:2 antedated May 4, 1862,

ing part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective view of the two portions of the butt detached. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the hinge as applied to a lefthand door, portions of the door and jamb or casingbeing shown. Fig. 3 is a like elevation showing it as applied to a righthand door.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

My invention has for its object the production of a loose-jointed door-hinge which is equally adapted for use either on right orleft hand doors, and which is at the same time -equally strong7 simple, and easily applied,

and does not materially exceed in cost the common loose-jointed butt.

As represented in the drawings, A, Fig. l, is the supporting or jalnb portion of the hinge, and B the loose or removable portion, which is attached to the door, blind, or shutter. In Figs. 2 and 3 these respective portions are represented in connection with the door and jamb, O showing a part of the door and D a part of the janlb or jamb-casing in each.

The part A is formed with the leaf projecting from the center of the cylindrical portion or knuckle e, in which is set the pin f, and the screw-holes in this leaf are countersunk on both sides, so that it may be used with either side out, as required.

The part B consists of a longer leaf than A, projecting tangentially from the cylindrical portion g, or sufficiently to one side of the center to admit of its closing fully together with A when used on either side of it. The

cylindrical portion is drilled or otherwise provided with a hole to receive the pin f, and is of a length corresponding with that of the pin. Its position is midway of the leaf B, both ends of which project a distance equal to the lknuckle part of A, so that when together the two leaves correspond in length at the bottom, the longer end of B being at the top. To change this butt from a right to a left hand hinge, and vice versa, it is only necessary to invert the movable part B and reverse the side of A to the wall when applying it. The part B is not reversed,and the screw-holes are therefore countersunk on but one side, the act of inverting it having the effect to place the leaf on the opposite side of A to that which it before occupied. This change is so simple that it cannot fail of being comprehended in a moment by any mechanic, while its advantages and convenience to builders, dealers, and manufacturers of combining in the one article the perfect uses that otherwise require two distinct kinds of butts to be manufactured are so obvious as not to require-comment.

The part B may be made shorter than A, the leaf occupying only the length of the socket g, and various modifications of form and proportion may be used, all, however, involving the same general principles of coustruction; but I prefer the part lB longer, as described, though proportionately lighter, as it then admits of more screws and of placing them farther apart, so that a stronger fastening is obtained and the door is less liable to sag or work loose on the hinges.

VI am aware that right and left hand hinges have before been used, but differing in construction from mine, which is as cheap, simple, and effective as the ordinary butt-hinge, from which it differs, essentially, only in its twofold use, being of similar form and as little limited in the extent of its turning motion.

The socket g, by projecting laterally beyond the plane of the leaf B, allowsthe door to close and fit closely and freely in the frame, the leaves of the two parts being sunk flush into the wood-work, as usual, and by merely inverting the part B, thereby reversing the action of its socket in relation to the l. turning of the door, the same advantages are obtained when used on the opposite side.

I do not claim, broadly, a right and left butt hinge, but

What I claim as my invention, and desire my name in the presence of two subscribing to secure by Letters Patent as a new article of witnesses. manufacture, is-

A hinge composed of the two parts A and B, arranged and operating substantially as specified.

[n Witness whereof I have hereunto signed J OHN F. TOWNSEND.

NVitnesses:

L. A. SKINNER, GEO. F. PARMELEE. 

